The Baltimore Butterfly: Nicole’s Bishop Bikes Track

It’s been said that fancy paint can hide a multitude of sins, usually referring to expensive Italian racing frames of the 80s and 90s, when highly reputed branding would cover up rushed finishing. Not so when it comes to those made by Baltimore’s Chris Bishop.

Most of the recent frames assembled by Chris is captured impeccably by Keith Trotta, but a little investigation will reveal a couple of process snaps, which reveal only the tidiest finishing, with virtually no visible signs of construction.

This vivid track bike was built for Nicole Davison, one half of the partnership that owns the Veloville USA bike shop in Purcellville, VA. Nicole and her husband, Scott, both ride and race, and are very good friends — and previous customers — of Chris Bishop.

Both Nicole’s and Scott’s Bishop Bikes were displayed at last November’s Philly Bike Expo, where they blinded all onlookers with their brilliance. The artist who applied the paint was, once again, Bryan Myers of Fresh Frame.

Bryan’s directive, from Nicole, was to make it look like a butterfly, but the effect may be more that of a basilisk: able to kill with a single glance. The reptilian form is especially reinforced by Chris’s use of 3Rensho’s webbed Modeulo lugs.

A full Columbus Gilco crimped tubeset and MAX fork adds to the frame’s sinewy shape. The components won’t let anyone down: custom-anodised Campagnolo Pista cranks, and the hubs are the French-made Supersprint collaboration with Victoire Cycles.